The failure to get admission in public university left lasting pain in my mind. But I did not give up. I decided to study in BRAC. I took part in the admission test in the spring semester in 2017. The first and second semesters in BRAC, I faced many ups and downs. Having heard from many friends, I came to know that Residential Semester at SAVAR would be altogether a different Semester. The first day in SAVAR campus gave me the exact feeling.
It was a warm morning on November 10, 2017. The day was Friday and I woke up from bed with much excitement because the day was significant for me as we had to act in a drama on Liberation War in front of the huge audience. On the other hand, my parents with my cousin and uncle were coming to see me. I was happy as well as delighted.
I was thinking that I had to perform well in front of the audience so I prepared myself accordingly. When I entered The Markuli Hall, I was amazed. The hall was decorated so nicely for the stage drama and students from section one to twenty seven would perform in a drama on the history of Bangladesh.
I saw the dramas of section one to thirteen and each and every student performed brilliantly. Now it was section fourteen's turn in which I belonged to. I got really nervous and went with my classmates in the backstage for taking preparation to perform on the stage. I performed on the stage and it was an unforgettable experience as I was performing on the stage for the first time in my life. It increased my courage and confidence to do something in the public place. After the performance, I find myself a different person, changed than before.
The changed 'Maisha' now recalls the day, she came to the Residential Campus. On 8 September 2017 my mother made a big luggage for me as I was going to Savar. My parents were unhappy because they had to live without me for three months. Especially when I was about to start my journey towards Savar campus my mother cried. I also became emotional because I had to live without them. With this sad feeling, I started my journey. When I reached the campus with other students I became happy to see the environment of the campus. There were lots of green trees around the campus and I felt like I was in the garden.
I entered my room and introduced myself with the room-mate. I talked to her and found that she was a friendly person. Coincidentally she was from my department. After sometimes another girl came in. She was a sweet girl. Both of them were very cordial towards me. On the next day, orientation programme was arranged for the students to let us know about the rules and regulations of our campus and the different RS programme and activities which made me curious. After completing my orientation programme, I roamed around the whole campus with one of my friends.
Then my RS life started. Within three months, I made some good friends. Everyday when I woke up from bed my best friend called me to have breakfast with her. We had breakfast, lunch, dinner together. Faculty members of RS were very cooperative and helpful towards every student. One day I became sick. My respected Ethics and Culture faculty told me to go to my dorm and take rest during his lecture.
On the other hand, my Bangladesh Studies teacher was my mentor and inspiration. He motivated me to perform better in all classes. It would be wrong, if I do not mention about my English classes. My English classes were very unique. I have learnt innovative and creative things from my English classes and my English teachers helped us a lot to do well in exams, presentations and group works. Last but not the least, my classmates who became my soul-mates, my room-mates and my dorm supervisor from whom I received motherly behaviour. She was a big support for the students and she helped the students so that they could cope up with the environment of RS without their parents.
Thus RS showed me a new world. Before I joined this semester, I had no friends. Here I developed close friendships with at least three friends. It gave an opportunity how to deal with other students who came from different cultural backgrounds.
From RS I have learnt how to become a virtuous person. It also helped me to develop my leadership and time management skill and it made me a good English speaker so that I can compete in the global space. I am grateful to BRAC University for giving me the opportunity to be a part of Residential Semester, Fall 2017.These memories will remain alive in my mind and help me to become a better person in future. Lastly, I would recommend other universities-public or private should introduce such type of innovative education programme.
The writer is a student of BSS in Economics, BRAC University
